KV Chamber of Commerce voices support for Medicaid expansion plan

Group cites economic benefit, creation of 24K jobs in Missouri in 2014

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Kirksville Daily Express - Kirksville, MO

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Posted Feb. 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Posted Feb. 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Kirksville

The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce is joining another Kirksville business development organization in backing Gov. Jay Nixon's plan to expand Medicaid and take advantage of additional federal funding.

The Chamber announced its support in a press release Friday, saying that the board had voted to endorse the expansion, citing billions of dollars it will bring back to Missouri and benefit businesses and families with Medicaid tax dollars.

"It makes sense, from an economic standpoint, for Missouri to expand our current Medicaid program, accept federal funding and bring our tax dollars back home to cover the cost of the expansion," said Sandra G. Williams, executive director of the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce.

The local Chamber is joining the Kirksville Regional Economic Development, Inc., which primarily focuses on local industrial development, in backing the measure with both entities focusing on the economic impacts.

The Chamber cited a University of Missouri report from 2012 that estimated the expansion would create 24,000 new Missouri jobs in 2014 alone. The expansion is also estimated to bring $5.7 billion back to Missouri.

Nixon, who was in Kirksville in early 2013 to generate support for the plan in conjunction with the federal Affordable Care Act, said he believes expanding Medicaid is good for business and good for Missourians.

"I appreciate the endorsement of the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce in supporting this smart business decision to bring our dollars home, and to support the economies of rural Missouri," Nixon said in the press release.